Chef Angel Barreto is the executive chef and partner of Anju, a contemporary Korean restaurant in Washington, DC’s Dupont Circle. With more than a decade of experience, Barreto has earned national recognition for his ability to bridge French technique with the bold, layered flavors of Korean cuisine.

He began his culinary career at Vermilion under Anthony Chittum and later at Wolfgang Puck’s The Source, where he rose to executive sous chef. His passion for Korean food and cultural storytelling led him to Anju, where he has shaped a menu that serves as both an introduction and a celebration of Korean flavors. Under his leadership, Anju has received widespread acclaim, including a three-star review from The Washington Post and being named the #1 restaurant in DC by Washingtonian in 2020.

Barreto’s career is distinguished by numerous accolades. In 2020, he was awarded the RAMMY for Rising Culinary Star and nominated for the James Beard Rising Star Chef of the Year. He was named a Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2021, a James Beard Emerging Chef nominee in 2022, and selected as a James Beard Taste Twenty Chef the same year. Most recently, he received the RAMMY Award for Chef of the Year in 2024 and was named among the 14 Best Chefs in DC by Modern Luxury DC. He also serves as a Culinary Ambassador for the United States, representing American cuisine abroad.

Known for blending tradition with innovation, Barreto continues to push the boundaries of Korean cuisine in America. Through his cooking, he honors Korea’s deep culinary roots while introducing diners to fresh, modern expressions that have cemented him as one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most celebrated chefs

Follow @Angellbarreto and @Anjufrc for more!